Before computers and television, folks gathered on the Square on election night where votes were counted and “reported” on boards.

To bring back that old-time feeling, and give court clerks more space to work, Visit Oxford will be holding an Election Night Watch Party in front of City Hall.

The community is invited to gather in front of City Hall at 7 p.m. when polls close. The band, Oxford Allstars, will be playing music and a food vendor will be on hand for candidates and their supporters to grab a bite to eat while waiting for the election results to come in.

Torie Marion, community enhancement coordinator with Visit Oxford, said that while Visit Oxford spends most of its time marketing Oxford to people outside of the area, it’s her job to work with the community members who already live here.

“We are focused on tourism and want to bring people in, but we also want to engage with our local community members,” she said.

Marion said the event is modeled around how election night was done in years past, when the community came out to the Square to learn who their leaders would be.

“We wanted an old-time feel,” she said. “They used to have a big board outside and people would bring their families out.”

Workers at the Lafayette County Courthouse will be running out results as they come in “out the back door” to someone who will write them on a large board set up outside City Hall. The parking area in front of City Hall and Neilson’s will be blocked off.

“We are encouraging people to bring lawn chairs,” Marion said.

The event will end at 10 p.m.

For more information, call 662-232-2477.